Eighty-year-old Bhim Kohli never made it home after walking his dog on September 1, 2023. Instead, he became the victim of a brutal attack by two teenagers—just 13 and 15—who mocked, filmed, and assaulted him in a racially charged assault that left the retired grandfather with a broken neck and multiple fractured ribs. Kohli died in hospital less than 24 hours later.
A Leicester Crown Court jury found the teenagers guilty of manslaughter on April 2, 2025, following a harrowing six-week trial. While the boy had been charged with murder, he was acquitted of that count but convicted of manslaughter. The girl, who filmed the assault while laughing and urging the boy on, was also found guilty. Both minors remain unnamed under UK law due to their age.
Prosecutors told the court the 15-year-old boy slapped Kohli across the face with a shoe while shouting racial slurs, with the 13-year-old girl gleefully recording the scene on her phone. Their actions—chilling in both cruelty and confidence—sent shockwaves across the country and reignited calls for urgent reform in how Britain handles youth violence.
Kohli, described by neighbors as a peaceful, respected elder in the Braunstone community, suffered injuries “comparable to a high-speed car crash,” according to forensic testimony. He passed away on September 2, 2023, leaving behind grieving family members who have since called for justice and accountability in a country where such cases are no longer isolated incidents.
This case joins a disturbing pattern in the UK where young teens are increasingly at the center of violent crimes. Reports from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show a 12% rise in youth-perpetrated assaults in 2023, with growing concern about underage access to online content that glorifies violence and anti-social behavior.
Sentencing for the convicted teens is scheduled for May 20, 2025. Legal experts suggest the court may consider custodial sentences given the severity of the crime, although UK youth sentencing laws often prioritize rehabilitation over punishment—another flashpoint in the public debate this case has reignited.
With nationwide mourning still lingering, Kohli’s family issued a heartfelt statement outside the court: “We will never understand the cruelty inflicted on our father. This was not a prank. This was hate-fueled violence that stole a life full of wisdom and kindness.” The case continues to dominate UK headlines, with many calling it a grim reflection of a generation in crisis.
